Maximum excitement heading for Marseille

March 4, 2019

by Pere Flores @Perflo135 / FIM X-Trial Journalist

X-Trial Marseille offers a fascinating duel in the context of the title and event win

The fifth round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship, taking place in Marseille on 9th March, promises to be as intense as exciting with World Championship honours on the line and multiple candidates for victory on the night.

Toni Bou (Repsol Montesa Honda) arrives in Marseille as the Championship leader after consecutive victories in Bilbao and Granada. But Adam Raga’s strong form and victory in Barcelona earlier this campaign mean he is still in touch, just thirteen points back in the series standings.

Bou and Raga might be taking the stranglehold of 2019’s Championship fight, but Marseille is Bincaz’s ground. The French star looks forward to a home Round, at which he will have the support of the spectators, on the back of a brilliant third position in Bilbao and a second Consolation Final appearance in Granada.

Jaime Busto (Gas Gas) will also consider himself a serious contender for victory on the night, having made it to his first Grand Final of 2019 in Granada and in so doing secured his second podium appearance of the season behind Toni Bou.

Attempting to knock those two out of podium contention are Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas) and Miquel Gelabert (Sherco). While Fajardo has already been on the podium this season, a third place finish achieved in Budapest, Gelabert struggled at the start of the campaign with injury and is steadily improving from one Round to the next.

French X-Trial fans have the additional attraction of a second home rider in Alexandre Ferrer, who makes his first appearance of the season and with the intention therefore of putting in a strong showing.

Youngsters Luca Petrella (Beta) and Sondre Haga (TRRS) are the remaining nominated riders, taking X-Trial Marseille as part of a valuable learning curve while they continue to bridge the gap to the regular World Championship contenders.

X-Trial Marseille gets underway at 20:30 local time. Tickets are available at www.x-trial.com , and the show is live online throughout at www.x-trial.tv